Hello from Cali

[LOOKING4StealthMobileOffice]

Hello folks, I live in Shasta County CA, and I have just started working on turning my 2000 Ford E350 Super Duty Ext Cargo Van into a stealth van that I can go on the road with full time for about a year to do sales. 
I have just spent two evenings looking at videos and info on solar panels and batteries and installs and am trying to decide what I really need to start with. Any guidance would be really appreciated. 
So far this is what I have picked up.
I believe I can charge my laptop and cell phone during the day while I am driving using a 12V lighter socket inverter. I am going to be putting about 60 miles per day on the van in a 6-8 hour period, which I think is plenty of time to charge these items, but haven't researched it completely yet. If I am correct about that and don't need a secondary source for the amp hours those items will take then the only other major item I must have is a Fantastic Fan Vent with reverse for the roof above the bed area. I think the 2250 model for about $250 is the one. I won't be using a fridge or microwave, only an igloo (ice) and a hot water pot for tea and coffee. I only eat vegetables and fruits and drink water, coffee or tea, so cooking is an unnecessary expense and so is room for storing kitchen items and even the basic components of a kitchen are mostly unnecessary. I do think I will need a type of radiant heater in the winter months. 
I think I am going to install two 100W solar panels on the roof. The stealthy flex type that don't show as much. I don't have a roof rack but you cannot see the top of my roof form standing on the ground. The van is about 82" high. To begin with I think I only need to power a single deep cycle 12V (or two 6V) in order to have 100ah per day.
I will be rising at sunup and going to sleep at sundown so having light and being concerned about it showing through the windows at night are not a real issue. What I will be spending most of my time doing in the van when I park for the night is data entry form the days work on my computer. This requires that I plug a USB powered second screen into my laptop. That is the main thing I would be running at night (for about 2 hours) and my laptop will already charged from the day as well as my cell phone which I will read e-kindle from and use as my alarm clock. The other important item is the roof fan. Other than these two items I won't have anything else. I don't watch tv or use a dvd player. I know I sound incredibly boring but it's just that I am really focused on this project and am already practicing these disciplines in order to be more proficient. Anyway, if anyone has any comments or suggestions I would be truly grateful to have any input or direction such as where to buy and maybe even if someone has seen a list or a really complete video for a complete beginner in regards to the electrical. 

Thanks!!

 

[LOOKING4StealthMobileOffice]

The main questions I have right now are: What do I do with my poop and will I need more that one 12V 100W when it comes time to use a heat source. Thanks again!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Looking4Stealth! I'll let some one with experience answer your poop question. Solar doesn't supply enough power for a heater. A Mr Buddy that uses propane is more practical. Sometimes it's best to try living in a van before buying stuff. You'll have a better idea of what you need and how to set up your living area.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[cyndi]

You'll find many ways of handling your personal waste in thisw forum
https://vanlivingforum.com/Forum-Personal-Hygiene

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum    

Well, at long last.......a person who is getting into Van travel the same way I did.  In Business. LOL

I've told my story here many times about working short term projects in Industrial Design coordinating
between the Sales Staff and Engineers in the HQ Lab where I worked in Central Ohio.  

What I did allowed me to advance and earn when I was up against the "married" co-workers.  I was single
and thus expected to be second class for it.  I learned  to use my Van and small econo station wagon (which
I towed behind the Van for quick moves from division to division as a "special projects" man.  

What you are setting out to do is quite similar to what I did except you'll be on the road more and will be able
to live in your Van in a light flexible manner.

I have a couple of websites below that may interest you.  The first shows a kitchenette,  which in your case could be developed as an Office Center.  (if you license your Van as just a Van and not a House Vehicle or RV.  Otherwise...you may have to show and prove you have bed, kitchen, etc as permanent fixtures.  And any LEO would be able to look at your vehicle license at a glance and know it is licensed as an RV...which may foil your Stealth)

But I think what you are talking about could be easily done with the ideas I showcase in my website. 

The second site below it is a "Swiss Army Knife" of useful information to use once you are traveling. 

Belonging to any of the National Syndicated Gyms,  Golds, Planet Fitness, etc (there are about 5 of them)
could provide you with a place to work out some and then clean up, change into clean clothing.  They are 24/7 so if you start your day early you could have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with customers on your expense account.  Thus eliminating the need to have a kitchen on board. 

You won't need to be towing another car as I did.  I was more landed, living in apartments in my work.  But if you have a big account, you can always rent a nice car for the sales call.  (expense account   =) 

I now have an old 90 E 350 Extended High Top with 351 V8 gas.  4 spd auto OD.   Directly in front of me under the hood is a space for a full sized battery.  If your rig has the same you could put a 12 vdc deep cycle
in there and get it set up for a house battery.   Some use deep cycle batteries for their vehicle battery too
if you use it for house energy too.   If you use LED lights for your inside light at night that could work.

A last thought is an awning to mount to the right side of your Van so you can with weather permitting sit outside in the open air.   I would also suggest you invest in mosquito netting panels that would cover your front roll down windows, side door, and if you have rear tilt out windows have screens for them.  They are definitely worth the investment.  These can be made with magnet strips in them that will hold to the Van's metal body.   On my side door screen I have a zipper in the middle so I can easily enter it.  The zipper is a larger plastic type that opens and closes quite easily and doesn't tug on the mountings.

I've mentioned "expense account" a couple times.   I don't know if you have one or not or if you are self employed.  But the money you will be saving by living in the Van each night should free enough money from your cash flow to cover these sales effort expenses.  I think you'll do real good !    :idea:

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard the forums !

There is a LOT of info already posted here that you can spend some more time absorbing.

Happy Trails and keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down.........

 

[LOOKING4StealthMobileOffice]

Welcome aboard the forums !

There is a LOT of info already posted here that you can spend some more time absorbing.

Happy Trails and keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down.........

Thank you Sir, I really appreciate this site and your help. I am reading my butt off. Thanks again!

 

[LOOKING4StealthMobileOffice]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum    

Well, at long last.......a person who is getting into Van travel the same way I did.  In Business. LOL

I've told my story here many times about working short term projects in Industrial Design coordinating
between the Sales Staff and Engineers in the HQ Lab where I worked in Central Ohio.  

What I did allowed me to advance and earn when I was up against the "married" co-workers.  I was single
and thus expected to be second class for it.  I learned  to use my Van and small econo station wagon (which
I towed behind the Van for quick moves from division to division as a "special projects" man.  

What you are setting out to do is quite similar to what I did except you'll be on the road more and will be able
to live in your Van in a light flexible manner.

I have a couple of websites below that may interest you.  The first shows a kitchenette,  which in your case could be developed as an Office Center.  (if you license your Van as just a Van and not a House Vehicle or RV.  Otherwise...you may have to show and prove you have bed, kitchen, etc as permanent fixtures.  And any LEO would be able to look at your vehicle license at a glance and know it is licensed as an RV...which may foil your Stealth)

But I think what you are talking about could be easily done with the ideas I showcase in my website. 

The second site below it is a "Swiss Army Knife" of useful information to use once you are traveling. 

Belonging to any of the National Syndicated Gyms,  Golds, Planet Fitness, etc (there are about 5 of them)
could provide you with a place to work out some and then clean up, change into clean clothing.  They are 24/7 so if you start your day early you could have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with customers on your expense account.  Thus eliminating the need to have a kitchen on board. 

You won't need to be towing another car as I did.  I was more landed, living in apartments in my work.  But if you have a big account, you can always rent a nice car for the sales call.  (expense account   =) 

I now have an old 90 E 350 Extended High Top with 351 V8 gas.  4 spd auto OD.   Directly in front of me under the hood is a space for a full sized battery.  If your rig has the same you could put a 12 vdc deep cycle
in there and get it set up for a house battery.   Some use deep cycle batteries for their vehicle battery too
if you use it for house energy too.   If you use LED lights for your inside light at night that could work.

A last thought is an awning to mount to the right side of your Van so you can with weather permitting sit outside in the open air.   I would also suggest you invest in mosquito netting panels that would cover your front roll down windows, side door, and if you have rear tilt out windows have screens for them.  They are definitely worth the investment.  These can be made with magnet strips in them that will hold to the Van's metal body.   On my side door screen I have a zipper in the middle so I can easily enter it.  The zipper is a larger plastic type that opens and closes quite easily and doesn't tug on the mountings.

I've mentioned "expense account" a couple times.   I don't know if you have one or not or if you are self employed.  But the money you will be saving by living in the Van each night should free enough money from your cash flow to cover these sales effort expenses.  I think you'll do real good !    :idea:

Wow! I really appreciate the enthusiastic help. I am going to start to dig into all of this information and will cheerfully engage you as I go. Thanks again!

 

[highdesertranger]

hello and welcome. lots of great minds here. ask away. highdesertranger